Female ISO flare union with integral mating brake ISO F flare port

Abstract

1. A brake union assembly for establishing a sealed connection between first and second flared fluid-carrying pipes, the brake union assembly comprising: a female body having a first open end and a second internally threaded open end; a flared mating port inserted into the body through the first end; a first flared pipe inserted into the first end and contacting a first end face of the mating port; a press section forming an inward flare on the first open end to capture the mating port and the first pipe end form; a second flared pipe inserted through the second open end and contacting a second end face of the attachment port; and a mating flare nut coaxially surrounding the second pipe, the flare nut having an external thread at a forward end that threadably interengages with the internal thread of the female body.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to flare pipe end fittings for incorporation into fluid-to-fluid line connection systems. More specifically, the present invention discloses a female ISO flare union incorporating a mating brake ISO F flare port for providing a secure, leak-free connection between first and second fluid carrying pipes inserted into opposing open ends of the female union.5 Also disclosed is a process for forming a fluid-tight union between the first and second fluid carrying pipes.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 122,408, filed March 16, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 321,144, filed March 18, 2022. Both applications are incorporated herein in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0003] The prior art is documented with examples of flared end connections and other end connections for establishing a reliable seal between opposing pipe end forms. A first example of this is taught by Schroeder's Flared Fitting Assembly, which teaches a first fitting member and a second fitting member configured to be cooperatively coupled. The first fitting member has a first throughbore having one end adapted to receive and hold a first pipe. The second fitting member has a second throughbore adapted to be disposed on a second pipe having an outwardly flared end. An arcuate seating surface is disposed within the first throughbore of the first fitting member. A conical flared seating surface is disposed within the second throughbore of the second fitting member and adapted to engage an outer surface of the flared end of the second pipe such that a line seal is formed between the inner surface of the flared end of the second pipe and the arcuate surface when the first fitting member and the second fitting member are cooperatively coupled.

[0004] A further example of a related pipe connection is shown in US Pat. No. 5,399,323 to Liebig, which provides for thin-walled, small-diameter metal pipes, in particular for automotive brake, fuel and hydraulic lines and for use in refrigeration equipment, at least one of the metal pipes being provided with a flange at the end to be connected, both metal pipes being surrounded by sleeves, one of the sleeves being deformable to form a fixed connection between the sleeves, the deformable sleeve being configured as an outer sleeve surrounding the other sleeve, configured as an inner sleeve in the assembled state, over at least a portion of its length, the inner sleeve being provided with a circular thickened portion at the end closest to the flange, so that a portion of the outer sleeve is deformable behind this thickened portion.

[0005] No. 5,399,433 to Koyuncu et al. teaches a tube connection device for a tube having a flared end defining conical front and rear faces. A threaded sleeve has a through opening for receiving the tube. A connector having a conical seating surface that receives the front face of the flared end and a threaded portion is mateable with the threaded sleeve. When the threaded sleeve is threaded, a ring is disposed between the rear face of the flared end and the threaded sleeve.

[0006] Stavros, US Patent No. 5,399, 363 teaches a fluid connector assembly having a connector body with a female end and a male end. The female end includes an internal bore extending therethrough from an annular opening to an inner seat. The inner seat defines a concave frusto-conical surface. The male end includes an internal bore axially aligned with the female bore, extending from an opening at a tip of the male end to a second opening in the inner seat of the female end.

[0007] The tip includes an abutment surface disposed about the first opening. The connector body is configured to receive an elongated tube having a concave flared end extending from the first opening through the male bore with the flared end at the inner seat. The connector body is further adapted to receive an elongated tube having a spherical / convex flared end through the female and male bores with the spherical / convex flared end extending outwardly from the first opening at the tip and the spherical / convex flare at the abutment surface. A further example of the prior art is shown in US Pat. No. 5,399,633, which relates to a rigid tube structure including a brake rigid tube, a rigid tube bolt and a rigid tube nut. The rigid tube bolt is connected with the threads of the rigid tube nut and is flared around the brake rigid tube at both ends. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6,729,659 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,262 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Pat. No. 10,895,336 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0301959 [Patent Document 5] China Utility Model No. 208793842 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention discloses a female ISO (International Organization for Standardization) flare union incorporating a mating brake ISO F flare port for providing a secure, leak-free connection between first and second fluid carrying tubes inserted into the female union forming part of a brake line union or similar fluid transfer system. The female body has a first open end and a second internally threaded open end. A flare mating port is inserted into the body through the first end. A first outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the first tube is inserted into the first end and contacts a first end face of the mating port.

[0010] The pressing action forms an inward flare on the first open end of the female body for capturing the mating port and the end form of the first tube. A second outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the second tube is inserted through the second open end and into contact with the second end face of the attachment port. A mating flare nut coaxially surrounds the second fluid carrying tube and has a plurality of external threads at a forward end that threadably interengage with the internal threads of the female body, and tightening causes a forward end abutment of the mating flare nut to act against an internal ledge of the second outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the second tube section.

[0011] Other features include a machined annular stop formed within the inner diameter of the female body where the flare mating port contacts. The first and second end faces of the flare mating port each further include an inward dovetail profile against which the annular flare insert end forms of the first and second tubes, respectively, seat.

[0012] A corresponding process for forming a fluid-tight union between first and second fluid-carrying tubes is also disclosed, the process including the steps of forming a female body having a first open end and a second internally threaded open end, inserting a flared mating port into the body through the first end, inserting a first outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the first tube into the first end into contact with a first end face of the mating port, and press-molding an inwardly facing flare into the first open end to capture the mating port and the end form of the first tube.

[0013] Another step includes inserting a second outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the second tube through the second open end into contact with the second end face of the mating port. An additional step further includes advancing a mating flare nut coaxially surrounding the second fluid carrying tube and having a plurality of external threads at a forward end for threadably interengaging with the internal threads of the female body, and actuating a forward end abutment of the mating flare nut against an internal ledge of the second outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the second tube portion.

[0014] Further embodiments for establishing a fluid-tight union for interconnecting forward and aft brake lines or the like are also disclosed, which include a female body having a first open end and a second reduced diameter open end with a plurality of internal threads extending from the first open end to an internal shoulder in communication with the second reduced diameter open end. The aft fluid carrying line further has a first enlarged end profile such that when the female body is slid along the aft fluid carrying tube, the internal shoulder abuts the first enlarged end profile with the aft line extending from the second open end.

[0015] The forward fluid carrying line has a second enlarged end profile that mates with the first enlarged end profile when inserted through the first open end. The flare nut coaxially surrounds the forward fluid carrying line and has an integral extension having an outer annular thread that interengages with the internal thread of the female body. The narrowed front end abutment of the flare nut further has an end profile dimensioned to contact an opposing surface of the second end profile such that tightening of the flare nut in a direction toward the first open end causes the second end profile to act against the first end profile to fluidly seal the forward and aft fluid carrying lines within the female body.

[0016] The first expanded end profile can further include a female flared end form and the second expanded end profile can further include a male flared end form. The press crimping operation utilizes a die to deform the reduced diameter portion of the female body inwardly against the rear fluid-carrying tube. At least the rear fluid-carrying tube includes a polyamide coating to protect the tube from damage during crimping.

[0017] Additional features include the female receiving end form having a rearward slope profile that varies between 120 degrees and 138 degrees relative to a centerline axis extending through the rearward fluid transfer line. Also, as shown, the female union body can have a hexagonal profile. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the following detailed description, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of a female threaded union with an inwardly pressed / clinched flare, with an ISO flare mating port installed in the female union and a male pipe with an end form engaging against the flare mounting port in the female union.

[0020] [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a protocol for forming a pipe end fitting that includes installing an ISO flare mating port and an ISO flare in a female union, and then pressing an inwardly facing annular end flare into the female end to secure the male pipe and ISO flare mounting port.

[0021] [Diagram 3] 2 shows the first operational step whereby the ISO flare mating port is inserted into the female nut end until it contacts the machined stop formed in its inside diameter.

[0022] [Figure 4] 4 shows the operational step following FIG. 3 in which the ISO flare end of the male pipe end form is inserted into the female nut end until it contacts the previously installed mating port in preparation for clinching or trapping the parts together in a pressing operation.

[0023] [Figure 5A-5C] 5A illustrates the steps involved in the press-clinch operation, including an initial installation view of a longitudinal section repeating that shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 5A), an intermediate clinch / press press operation in which an inward annular flare is formed in the female end form (FIG. 5B), and a post-press view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the finished flared end resulting from the press / clinch operation (FIG. 5C).

[0024] [Figure 6] 5D substantially as shown in FIG. 5C before the torque action is applied to the mating flare and nut.

[0025] [Figure 7]7 is a further subsequent view of FIG. 6 showing a second tube with its flare end inserted from the opposite direction into the female nut to contact the opposing end face of the ISO flare mating port, with the internal threads of the female nut coaxially surrounding the second tube and following a torque action interengaging with the opposing mating external threads of a male mating flare nut located behind the second tube end flare end form within the second end of the female nut, resulting in the female union nut being captured onto the second tube and the mating ISO flare union being captured internally, and both ISO flares being sealed within the ISO port upon clockwise torqueing / turning of the male nut into the female union.

[0026] [Figure 8-10] 1 shows a series of diagrams corresponding to the ISO flare mating port and pre-insertion of the first male pipe end form followed by a press / clinch forming operation to form the flare end on the female nut.

[0027] [Figure 11] 13 shows a perspective view of a brake union according to a further embodiment, which is crimped onto the rear brake line to prevent the union from slipping out of the mating joint during assembly.

[0028] [Figure 12] 12 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the female threaded union shown in FIG. 11 for connecting the brake lines extending to the rear wheels with additional brake lines extending from the forward vehicle system including the ABS control unit, thereby allowing the manufacture of a vehicle subassembly to be completed without the need for long, small diameter tubing that easily bends and kinks.

[0029] [Figure 13] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a female receiving flare formed on a rear brake line that is cold formed to a specific extent according to OEM specifications.

[0030] [Figure 14]FIG. 1 is an assembled plan view showing a female union that slides into the back of a sealing port formed in a brake pipe.

[0031] [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial view taken from FIG. 12 showing the female flared end of the rear brake line seating against the inner shoulder of the union.

[0032] [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a press crimping operation using a die to lock the rear brake line into the female union, the brake pipe further including a polyamide or similar coating to prevent a protective layer to prevent damage during crimping. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention discloses a female ISO flare union, generally designated 10 in FIG. 1, incorporating a mating brake ISO F flare mating port 12 for providing a secure, leak-free connection between a first fluid carrying tube 14 and a second fluid carrying tube 16 (see FIG. 7) inserted therein. As further shown in the longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 1, the female threaded union includes a generally nut-shaped body 18 (when viewed in perspective) having a first end flare 20 pressed or clinched thereon (see also the preformed form of FIGS. 2-5A prior to clinching / press forming the end flare on the female nut body 18). The end flare 20 is formed after pre-installation of the ISO flare mating port 12, where an outwardly directed annular flare insert end form 22 of the first male pipe 14 contacts and engages against the flare mating port 12 within the female union 10.

[0034] 1, the female union body 18 defines a smooth inner diameter 24 into which the ISO flare mating port 12 sits from a first insertion orientation. The mating port 12 typically has an annular outer surface 26 (see FIG. 2), which is closely sized to seat closely within the smooth inner diameter 24 of the female union 10.

[0035] The mating port 12 further includes inwardly flared or dovetailed surfaces 28 and 30 (see FIG. 2) against which rest the respective annular flared end form (previously identified at 22) of the first male pipe 14 and the opposite similarly flared end (32 in FIG. 7) associated with the second male pipe 16. In this manner, a continuous fluid flow path is established between the respective inside diameters of the pipe sections 14 and 16 (see 34 and 36, respectively) and the mutually abutting ISO flare mating port 12 (see further inside diameter 38).

[0036] The female union body 18 also includes an annular inwardly protruding end stop 40 which defines the limit of insertion of the ISO flare mating port 12 as shown in Figure 3. A plurality of internal threads 42 are formed into the interior of the female union body 18 from a second end face 44 opposite the first end of the female union defined by the clinched / press formed flare 18.

[0037] 7, a mating flare nut 46 having an inside diameter 48 is pre-installed coaxially on the second male pipe section 16. The flare nut 46 further includes a plurality of external threads 48 at a forward end which threadably interengage with the internal threads 42 of the female union body 18, resulting in a forward end abutment 50 of the mating flare nut 46 acting against an internal ledge of the flared end 32 of the second pipe section 16 when tightened.

[0038] 2 shows a diagram of a protocol for forming a pipe end fitting, which includes installing the ISO flare mating port 12 and ISO flare 22 of the pipe section 14 in the female union 18. Following this, a press or similar clinching operation forms an inwardly directed annular end flare 20 at the female end to secure the pre-inserted first male pipe 14 with the ISO flare 22 and the ISO flare mating port 12 in a sealed arrangement (as shown at 52 in each of FIGS. 2 and 5B).

[0039] Proceeding to Figure 3, the initial operational step outlined in Figure 2 is shown whereby the ISO flare mating port 12 is inserted into the female nut end until it contacts the machined stop (see again abutment at 40) formed within its inside diameter. Figure 4 shows a subsequent operational step from Figure 3 whereby the ISO flare end 22 of the male pipe 14 is inserted into the female nut end 18 until it contacts the previously installed mating port 12 in preparation for clinching or trapping the parts together during a suitable clinching or pressing operation.

[0040] 5A-5C show the steps involved in the press clinch operation, including an initial installation view (FIG. 5A) of a longitudinal cross section repeating that shown in FIG. 4, an intermediate clinch / press operation (shown again at 52 in FIG. 5B) in which the inward annular flare 20 is formed in the female end form, and finally, a post-press view (FIG. 5C) corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing the completed flared end 20 resulting from the press / clinch operation which secures the flare mating port 12 with the first tube 14 and the flare ISO end profile 22 inside the female union.

[0041] Figure 6 substantially shows the view of Figure 5C before a torque action is formed on the mating flare port 12 and female nut body 18. This is illustrated with further reference to Figure 7, a further view subsequent to Figure 6, in which a second tube 16 having a flared end 32 is inserted into the flare fitting 12 from the opposite direction (through the second open end face 44 defining the internal threads 42) and into contact with the opposite end face 30 of the ISO flare mating port 12.

[0042] In this regard, as previously described, the externally and coaxially supported mating flare nut 46 is moved forward along the second tube 16 until its external threads 48 rotatably inter-engage with the internal threads 42 formed in the female union nut body 18. The mating male flare nut 46 is rotated clockwise to thread into the female nut 18, such that the female union nut is captured on the second tube 16 and the mating ISO flare port 12 is captured therein, thereby sealing both of the opposing aligned tubes 14 / 16 to the ISO flare mating port 12 by compression of the corresponding tube flare ends 22 and 32.

[0043] Finally, Figures 8-10 show a series of diagrams corresponding to the associated pressing / clinching operations to form a flared end on the female nut 12, as known in the prior art, also following pre-insertion of the ISO flare mating port 12 and first male pipe end form 22 (not shown).

[0044] FIG. 8 also illustrates a variation of the clinch / press structure 52 which, in combination with a fixed pair of end form press lock jaws 54 / 56, such as a press, is compressed against the female nut body 18 to form a flared end form, such as by contoured recesses 58 / 60 machined into the lock jaws 54 / 56 and contacting material from the annular end face of the female union, forcing material to fold around the rear end of a patterned annular section 62 defined in the press structure 52.

[0045] Figure 9 shows a rotated end view of a selected lock jaw 54 and either the first or second tube 14 / 16. Finally, Figure 10 further illustrates the completed operation where the flared end profile is formed.

[0046] It is further understood that the pressing / clinching operations shown and described herein can be adapted for use with the ISO flare unions of Figures 1-7 or any suitable alternative assembly and process envisioned. The female union body 18, the ISO flare mating port 12, the first and second male pipes 14 / 16, and the mating flare nut 46 can all be constructed of suitable grades of steel or other non-corroding metals. It is also envisioned that the components of the present invention can be constructed of other non-metallic materials including, but not limited to, aluminum, and further, is not limited to durable rigid polymers and similar composite materials.

[0047] Also disclosed is a process for forming a fluid-tight union between a first fluid-carrying tube and a second fluid-carrying tube, the process including the steps of forming a female body having a first open end and a second internally threaded open end, inserting a flared mating port into the body through the first end, and inserting a first outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the first tube into the first end into contact with a first end face of the mating port. Further steps include press forming an inwardly facing flare on the first open end to capture the mating port and the first tube end form, and inserting a second outwardly facing annular flare insert end form of the second tube through the second open end into contact with a second end face of the mating port.

[0048] Other steps include advancing a mating flare nut having a plurality of external threads at a forward end to coaxially surround the second fluid carrying pipe and to threadably interengage with the internal threads of the female body, and actuating a forward end abutment of the mating flare nut against an internal ledge of a second outwardly extending annular flare insert end form of the second pipe portion.

[0049] 11, a perspective view of a brake union according to a further embodiment is shown generally at 100. A forwardly located brake line 102 is provided extending from, for example, an ABS control unit (not shown). A rearwardly located brake line 104 extends from a female union body (referenced by an elongated hex nut shaped part 106) to the rear wheels of the vehicle (not shown). Without limitation, the illustrated brake lines may be replaced with any fluid carrying tube associated with any relevant application envisioned by the present invention.

[0050] 12, the front brake line 102 has an outwardly directed annular expansion profile, shown, without limitation, as an ISO insert male end form 108 that seats against a corresponding expansion profile in the form of a female end form 110 formed in the rear brake line 104 upon complete installation. Without limitation, the male end form 108 and female end form 110 may be reversed from that shown in a reconfiguration of the front brake line 102 and rear brake line 104.

[0051] The rear brake line 104 is shown in perspective in Figure 13 to better show the female receiving end form 110. Without limitation, the end form 110 may be cold formed such that its rearward slope profile (118 in Figures 12 and 15) has a particular flare (see 112 in Figure 12), which may vary indefinitely between 120 degrees and 138 degrees relative to a centerline axis extending through the rear brake line 104, depending on OEM specifications.

[0052] The female body 106 shown in Figure 12 shows internal threads 114 that communicate with the front open end of the union body 106 and a reduced diameter smooth interior 116 that communicates with the rear open end 116. In an initial installation step, as shown in the assembly plan view of Figure 14, the female union 106 is slid (see arrow 117) behind the formed sealed port of the brake line 104 such that the outer tubular diameter of the line 104 approximates the size of the reduced smooth inner diameter open end 116 of the female union (see Figure 15).

[0053] As further shown in Figure 15, an enlarged partial view taken from Figure 12, the female flared end of the rear brake line 104 is shown including a rear contoured surface 118 that seats against an opposing contoured shoulder 120 on the interior of the union when the union is slid fully forward onto the rear brake line 104. In this regard, Figure 16 shows a view of the press crimping operation utilizing a die 122 to lock the rear brake line 104 into the female union 106.

[0054] The downward pressing force of die 122 (see 124) is applied to the narrowed diameter end 126 of female union 106, which deforms the opposing inner annular portion of the end (see further 126' in FIG. 16 ) such that the inner reduced diameter portion 116 deforms inwardly against the opposing outer diameter of rear brake line 104, locking the rear brake line to the female union body 106. Without limitation, the brake pipe 104 may further include a polyamide or similar coating to protect the pipe and prevent damage during the crimping process.

[0055] 11-12, a redesigned mating flare nut is shown at 126 (compared to that shown at 46 in FIG. 7). As best seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12, flare nut 126 is shown in phantom lines and includes an integral extension body 128 having external annular threads 130 that interengage with internal threads 114 of female union body 106.

[0056] The flare nut also includes a narrowed front end abutment 132 having an arcuate end contour 134 dimensioned to contact an opposing inverted arcuate surface 136 of the ISO male flare 108 (see again FIG. 12). In this manner, upon completion of tightening of the flare nut in the direction toward the forward open end, the front end abutment 132 of the mating flare nut 126 acts against the female seat contour of the flare 110 of the rear brake line 104 (which was previously crimped onto the union 106 to prevent the union from slipping out of the mating joint during assembly). The crimped union further provides stability and alignment of the male flare of the front brake line while the union is torqued.

[0057] By this design, the present invention allows the brake lines running to the rear wheels to be connected with additional brake lines running from the front vehicle system including the ABS control unit, thus completing the manufacture of the vehicle subassembly without having to use long small diameter tubing that easily bends and kinks. As described, crimped brake unions are used to join the rear brakes from each tire to the front brake control unit, facilitating the completion of modular subassembly of the vehicle without having to struggle with long small diameter tubing that tends to bend.

[0058] Other advantages of the present invention include lower seal torque values ​​compared to standard unions and less chance of union misalignment when mating the joint during manufacturing. Other improvements include less scrap and rework associated with OEM assembly facilities and the ability to remove two fasteners from the vehicle, with associated weight savings and a more ergonomic assembly process.

[0059] Having described the present invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the scope of the appended claims. It is further understood that the detailed description and drawings are supportive of this disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the claims. Although some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the teachings set forth in the claims have been described in detail, there are various alternative designs and embodiments for carrying out the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

[0060] It is further understood that the foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the disclosure to the exact form or particular field of use disclosed. Thus, various alternative embodiments and / or modifications to the disclosure, whether expressly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the present disclosure. Having thus described an embodiment of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

[0061] In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or embodied in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, this description should be considered as illustrative and is intended to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the various embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood that the forms of the disclosure shown and described herein should be taken as representative embodiments. The elements, materials, processes or steps typically shown and described herein may be replaced with equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps. Also, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art after benefiting from this description of the disclosure. The terms "comprises," "includes," "incorporates," "consists of," "has," "is," and the like, used to describe and claim the disclosure, are intended to be interpreted in a non-exclusive manner, i.e., allowing for the presence of items, components or elements not expressly described. Reference to the singular should be interpreted to relate to the plural as well.

[0062] Furthermore, the various embodiments disclosed herein should be construed in an illustrative and explanatory sense, and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure in any way. All connector expressions (e.g., attached, secured, coupled, connected, etc.) are used only to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations with respect to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and / or methods specifically disclosed herein. Thus, connector expressions, if any, should be interpreted broadly. Also, such connector expressions do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected to each other.

[0063] Additionally, without limitation, all numerical terms such as "first," "second," "third," "primary," "secondary," "main," or any other general and / or numerical terms should be construed merely as identifiers to aid the reader in understanding the various elements, embodiments, variations and / or modifications of the present disclosure, and in particular do not create any limitation as to the order or priority of any element, embodiment, variation and / or modification relative to other elements, embodiments, variations and / or modifications.

[0064] It will also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the drawings / diagrams may be implemented in a more separate or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered inoperative in some cases, as may be useful according to a particular application. Additionally, the signal hatches in the drawings / diagrams are to be considered as illustrative only and not limiting, unless otherwise noted.

Claims

1. 1. A union assembly for establishing a sealed connection between a first fluid carrying pipe and a second fluid carrying pipe, comprising: a female body having a first open end and a second internally threaded open end; a flare mating port inserted into the body through the first end; a first outwardly flared insert end form of the first tube inserted into the first end and contacting a first end face of the mating port; a press section forming an inward flare on the first open end to capture the mating port and an end form of the first tube; a second outwardly flared insert end form of the second tube inserted through the second open end and contacting a second end face of the attachment port; a mating flare nut coaxially surrounding the second fluid carrying pipe, the flare nut having a front end with a plurality of external threads that threadably interengage with the internal threads of the female body, the flare nut having a front end abutment that operates against an internal ledge of a second outwardly extending annular flare insert end form of the second pipe section upon tightening of the flare nut; A union assembly comprising:

2. 2. The union assembly of claim 1, further comprising a machined annular stop formed within an inner diameter of the female body that contacts the flared mating port.

3. 2. The union assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second end faces of the flare mating port each further comprise an inward dovetail shaped contour within which the annular flare insert end forms of the first and second tubes, respectively, seat.

4. 1. A process for forming a fluid-tight union between a first fluid-carrying pipe and a second fluid-carrying pipe, comprising: forming a female body having a first open end and a second internally threaded open end; inserting a flare mating port into the body through the first end; inserting a first outwardly flared annular insert end form of a first tube into the first end so as to contact a first end face of the mating port; press forming an inward flare on the first open end to capture the mating port and an endform of the first tube; inserting a second outwardly flared insert end form of a second tube through the second open end into contact with a second end face of the mating port; advancing a mating flare nut coaxially surrounding the second fluid carrying pipe and having a plurality of external threads at a forward end for threadably interengaging with the internal threads of the female body, and actuating a forward abutment of the mating flare nut against an internal ledge of a second outwardly extending annular flare insert end form of the second pipe section; A process including.

5. 1. A union assembly for establishing a sealed connection between forward and aft fluid carrying lines, comprising: a female body having a first open end and a second reduced diameter open end, a plurality of internal threads extending from said first open end to an internal shoulder in communication with said second reduced diameter open end; a rear fluid carrying line having a first enlarged end profile, such that when the female body is slid along the rear fluid carrying tube, the inner shoulder abuts the first enlarged end profile with the rear line extending from the second open end; a forward fluid carrying line having a second flared end profile that mates with the first flared end profile when inserted through the first open end; a flare nut having an integral extension body coaxially surrounding the forward fluid transfer line and having an external annular thread interengaging with the internal thread of the female body, a narrowed front end abutment of the flare nut having an end profile dimensioned to contact an opposing surface of the second end profile, and wherein upon tightening of the flare nut in a direction toward the first open end, the second end profile acts against the first end profile to fluidly seal the forward and aft fluid transfer lines within the female body.

6. 6. The union assembly of claim 5, wherein said first expanded end profile further comprises a female flared end form and said second expanded end profile further comprises a male flared end form.

7. 6. The union assembly of claim 5, further comprising a press crimping operation utilizing a die to deform the reduced diameter portion of the female body inwardly against the rear fluid carrying tube.

8. 8. The union assembly of claim 7, further comprising at least the rear fluid carrying tube including a polyamide coating to protect the tube from damage during crimping.

9. 7. A union assembly as claimed in claim 6, further comprising said female receiving end form having a rearward slope profile varying between 120 degrees and 138 degrees relative to a centerline axis extending through said rearward fluid carrying tube.

10. The union assembly of claim 5 , wherein the female body further comprises a hexagonal profile.

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